Mount Hope, NY - On November 5, 2012, the New York State Police at Middletown announce the arrest of ROBERT J. ALTIERI, age 50, of Pearl River, NY. He was charged with three counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, unlawfully fleeing police in the third degree, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, driving while ability impaired by drugs, and numerous Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.

ALTIERI was observed by a trooper on the New York State Thruway driving a 2010 Lexus in excess of 100 miles per hour. ALTIERI lead the police onto State Route 17 where he subsequently struck an unoccupied State Department of Transportation pick-up truck in a construction zone. ALTIERI continued driving at a high rate of speed on Route 17 until he reached the local roads.

He ultimately stopped on Ridge Road in the Town of Mount Hope. When he exited the Lexus, and was observed carrying a handgun. He was ordered by troopers to drop the weapon, and he complied.

ALTIERI was taken into custody and was arraigned before Town of Mount Hope Justice Joseph Hosking. He was committed to the Orange County Jail in lieu of $150,000.00 bail.

The New York State Police were assisted by the NYSP Aviation Unit and City of Middletown Police Department.